News and Press Releases

Four Minnesota men sentenced for conspiring to distribute anabolic steroids

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS—Today in federal court, a 38-year-old Apple Valley man was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids. United States District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced Andrew John Fiedler to five years of probation and 500 hours of community service on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. Fiedler, who was indicted on May 2, 2011, pleaded guilty on October 14, 2011.

Anabolic steroids are a class of drugs with a basic steroid ring structure that produce anabolic effects and androgenic effects. Athletes, bodybuilders, and others abuse anabolic steroids with the intent to improve athletic performance, muscle strength, and appearance. They are available as injectable preparations, tablets or capsules, and gels or creams.

In his plea agreement, Fiedler admitted that in early 2008, law enforcement developed information that he was involved in a conspiracy to obtain and distribute anabolic steroids and human growth hormone (“hGH”). By February 14, 2008, law enforcement orchestrated controlled purchases of anabolic steroids from Fiedler. Fiedler acknowledges that he distributed at least 9,670 units of anabolic steroids during these transactions.

In a separate case, on September 5, 2012, Judge Schiltz sentenced Aaron William Meier, age 34, of Lino Lakes, to six months in prison on one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids, and six months in prison on one count of money laundering. Meier will serve the sentence concurrently. Meier, who was charged via an Information on August 2, 2011, pleaded guilty on August 10, 2011.

In another case, on March 20, 2012, Judge Schiltz sentenced Matthew Charles Markwood, age 39, of Elk River, to two years of probation for one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. Markwood was charged via an Information, and pleaded guilty, on June 21, 2011.

Lastly, in another case, on January 10, 2012, Judge Schiltz sentenced Jeffrey Allan Warner, age 47, to three years of probation for one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute anabolic steroids. Warner, who was indicted on December 20, 2006, pleaded guilty on September 27, 2010.

All these cases were the result of investigations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-Office of Criminal Investigations, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. They were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.